Mahindra XUV700 & Tata Safari SUVs compared

The all-new Mahindra XUV700 has created quite a ripple in the market after the price announcement. Most other vehicles in the segment now look overpriced. But how does the Mahindra XUV700 compares to the new Tata Safari? Well, here is a spec comparison and key driving comparison as well.

Mahindra XUV700 Vs Tata Safari: Dimensions

The Tata Safari based on the Harrier platform is much bigger than the Harrier. However, the XUV700 will be available in both 7-seat and 5-seat to take on the Harrier as well as the Safari. Compared to the Safari, the XUV700 is longer. The XUV700 measures 4,695 mm in length, 1,890 mm in width and 1,755 mm in height.

Also read: All New Tata Safari: Can a tall adult comfortably sleep in it? (Video)

The Safari is slightly wider and much taller than the XUV700. The Safari measures 4,661 mm in length, 1,894 mm in width, and 1,786 mm in height. Both the vehicles look quite intimidating on the roads. With the unique LED DRLs, both are easily identifiable too.

Mahindra XUV700 Vs Tata Safari: Engine and transmission

The Mahindra XUV700 gets powered by both petrol and diesel engine options. Tata only offers a diesel engine option with the Safari. The diesel variants of the XUV700 get powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine that generates a maximum power of 184 PS and peak torque of 420 Nm with the manual transmission and 450 Nm with the automatic transmission.

Mahindra will also offer a lower-powered diesel engine that will be available with the lower-end variants of the model. The diesel engine option with the Mahindra XUV700 gets both manual and automatic transmission options.

The Safari only offers the 2.0-litre diesel engine sourced from Fiat. It gets a six-speed manual transmission and a six-speed automatic that is sourced from Hyundai. The engine produces a maximum power of 170 PS and a peak torque of 350 Nm, making it less powerful than the top-spec XUV700.

For petrol, the Mahindra XUV700 gets a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that generates a maximum power of 200 PS and a peak torque of 380 Nm. It is the most powerful engine in the segment. Both automatic and manual transmission options are available with the Mahindra XUV700 petrol.

Mahindra XUV700 Vs Tata Safari: Drive

Mahindra has reduced the height of the XUV700 compared to the XUV500 and that translates into a lower centre of gravity. The XUV700 is a fun vehicle to drive. We drove the petrol automatic and we are impressed with the performance and the acceleration of the XUV700. The vehicle remains very stable at high speeds and the body roll is limited too.

The Tata Safari’s diesel automatic is a charm to drive. The gear shifts are perfect and smooth. The manual transmission is quite good too and the gears slot well. The third gear is quite tall so you can use it inside the city without feeling the need to shift much. The suspension set-up is better in the XUV700 than the Safari as it feels much more agile and comfortable as well.

Mahindra XUV700 Vs Tata Safari: Features

Mahindra XUV700 gets the longest list of features in the segment. The car offers segment-first ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistance System that offers features like automatic emergency braking, lane keeps assist, drowsiness alert, adaptive cruise control, recognition of speed limits on the highways and more. The XUV700 also offers seven airbags, ESP, customised drive modes for diesel and more.

It gets a digital-analogue instrument cluster, an 8.8-inch touchscreen in the middle, 6 airbags and so on. Tata has also added the iRA feature to the Safari that connects your smartphone to the vehicle. There are several features like Geo-fencing the car, getting to know the live location and so on that, you can do using the new iRA.

Both the vehicles get a panoramic sunroof, electronic parking brake and ESP-based features like disc brake wiping and more. The XUV700 misses out on the automatic day/night IRVM.

Also read: 3 Volkswagen Touareg 4X4 Diesel V6 luxury SUVs selling cheaper than 2020 Hyundai Creta